Timepiece with isolated hour hand changing device

ABSTRACT

A TIMEPIECE COMPRISING AN ADDITIONAL GEAR CONTROLLING THE HOUR HAND, WHICH GEAR IS ROTATABLY MOUNTED COAXIALLY WITH A SECOND GEAR, ACTUATED BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE TIMEPIECE, AND MEANS ACTUATABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE FOR ROTATING THE ADDITIONAL GEAR BY ONE OR MORE STEPS WITHOUT INFLUENCING THE INDICATION OF THE OTHER HAND OR HANDS, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT IT COMPRISES IN ADDITION A YOKE WHICH MAY TAKE, UNDER THE ACTION OF AN OUTER CONTROL MEMBER, ON THE ONE HAND, A FIRST POSITION WHEREIN THE SAID GEARS ARE INTERLOCKED IN THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION UPON NORMAL   SETTING OF THE TIMEPIECE AND DURING THE RUNNING THEREOF, AND, ON THE OTHER HAND, A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN THE SAID GEARS ARE DISENGAGED FROM EACH OTHER TO PERMIT ACTUATING ONLY THE ADDITIONAL GEAR CONTROLLING THE HOUR HAND.

Dec. 14, 1971 VUILLEUMIER TIMEPIECE WITH ISOLATED HOUR HAND CHANGINGDEVICE Filed Jan. 25, 1971 5 Sheets-Sheet I.

I INVENTOR cvRn. ywuggmER 9 Ann.-

Dec. 14, 1971 c. VUILLEUMIER 3,626,689

TIMEPIECE WITH ISOLATED noun HAND cmuama DEVICE Filed Jan. 25, 1971 v 3Sheets-Shoot v I w H63 +5 INVENTOR .cYRiL VUI'LL EuM i ER Dec. 14, 1971c. VUILLEUMIER TIMEPIECE WITH ISOLATED noun HAND CHANGING mavxcu FiledJan. 25, 1971 3 Sheets-Shoat I FIGA ' INVE'LNTOR VU I LL EU "15!? cYRiLMsfx United States Patent 3,626,689 TIMEPIECE WITH ISOLATED HOUR HANDCHANGING DEVICE Cyril Vuilleumier, Bienne, Switzerland, assignor toOmega Louis Brandt & Frere S.A., Bienne, Switzerland Filed Jan. 25,1971, Ser. No. 109,508

Int. Cl. G04b 27/00 US. Cl. 58-855 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Atimepiece comprising an additional gear controlling the hour hand, whichgear is rotatably mounted coaxially witha second gear, actuated by themovement of the timepiece, and means actuatable from the outside forrotating the additional gear by one or more steps without influencingthe indication of the other hand or hands, characterized in that itcomprises in addition a yoke which may take, under the action of anouter control member, on the one hand, a first position wherein the saidgears are interlocked in the direction of rotation upon normal settingof the timepiece and during the running thereof, and, on the other hand,a second position wherein the said gears are disengaged from each otherto permit actuating only the additional gear controlling the hour hand.

The present invention relates to a timepiece, comprising an additionalgear controlling the hour hand, which gear is rotatably mountedcoaxially with a second gear, actuated by the movement of the timepiece,and means actuatable from the outside for rotating the additional gearby one or more steps, thus correspondingly rotating the hour hand,without influencing the indication of the other hand or hands. Thistimepiece is broadly char acterized in that it comprises in addition ayoke which may take, under the action of an outer control member, on theone hand, a first position wherein the said gears are interlocked in thedirection of rotation upon normal setting of the timepiece and duringthe running thereof, and, on the other hand, a second position whereinthe said gears are disengaged from each other to permit actuating onlythe additional gear controlling the hour hand.

The accompanying drawings illustrate, by way of example, threeembodiments of the invention. There is shown in the drawings only whatis necessary for an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II'II in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view, partially in section, of the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view, partially in section, of the third embodiment.

The timepiece according to the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2) includesa conventional hourwheel 1, which is in mesh With the minute wheelpinion 2. The latter is rigidly connected with the minute wheel (notshown) which engages the cannon pinion (also not shown). The hour wheel1 is rotatably mounted on the cannon pinion. On the same cannon pinionis freely fitted an additional wheel 3, which is identical with the hourwheel 1 and carries the hour hand (not shown). Both wheels 1 and 3 are,therefore, coaxial. The minute hand, not shown, is carried as usual bythe cannon pinion. A second hand, coaxial or not with the other hands,may be provided for.

Means, described later on, are provided for actuating from the outsidethe additional wheel 3 in order to rotate the same by one or more steps,so as to correspondingly rotate the hour hand without influencing theindication 3,626,689 Patented Dec. 14, 1971 of the other hand or hands.This is useful particularly when the user passes from a time zone toanother one, for instance on airplane travels.

A yoke 4, pivoting as at 5 on the frame of the watch, is arranged in thevicinity of the wheels 1 and 3. It carries two identical pinions 6 and7, coaxial with each other and rigidly connected with each other. Bothpinions 6 and 7 are rotatably mounted on the yoke 4. On the other hand,the yoke 4 carries, at its other end, a pinion 8 which is in mesh with atoothed wheel 9* engaging an intermediate wheel 10. The latter is inmesh with a pinion 11 susceptible of being actuated by a control stem12.

At its end near the pinions 6 and 7, the yoke 4 presents a lug 13 havingthe shape of a circular head, which engages a recess 14 of acorresponding shape, provided in a cam disc 15 pivoting as at 16 in theframe of the watch. The cam disc 15 has a notch 17 the walls of whichdefine noses 18 and 19. A jumper 20, subjected to the action of a spring21, may engage either one of two catches 22 and 23 of the cam disc 15. Acontrol push-piece 24, actuatable from the outside of the Watch-case 46,is linked as at 25 to an actuating member 26, adapted to act upon thecam disc 15. A lever 27, pivoting on the frame as at 28, is subjected tothe action of a spring 29 which tends to turn clockwise (FIG. 1) thelever 27 and to push back the push-piece 24 towards the outside, throughthe intermediary of a pin 30 secured in the actuating member 26.

In the position of the parts illustrated in 'FIGS. 1 and 2, the yoke 4has its rest position, i.e. the normal position during the running ofthe watch. The pinion 6 is in mesh with the additional wheel 3, and thepinion 7 is in mesh with the hour wheel 1, so that the wheels 1 and 3are interlocked in the direction of rotation. As concerns the pinion 8,it is in mesh with the toothed wheel 9, but is disengaged from theadditional wheel 3. When the watch is working, the hour wheel 1 isdriven by the watch movement and its rotation is transmitted to theadditional wheel 3 through the pinions 7 and 6, so that the hour hand isnormally rotated. The normal setting of the watch, i.e. the simultaneouscorrection of the hour and minute hands, can be carried out as usual,through the minute wheel pinion 2, by means of a conventional device(not shown). If the control stem 12 is turned, the pinion 11 actuatesthe intermediate wheel 10 and the toothed wheel 9, 'without exerting anyfunction.

In order to bring the yoke 4 into its second position, or activeposition, the push-piece 24 is depressed, so that the actuating member26 is acted upon. The member 26 bears on the nose 18 of the cam disc 15'and rotates the latter by a certain angle in the counterclockwisedirection of FIG. 1, so that the jumper 20 enters the catch 22 of thecam disc 15. The rotation of the cam disc 15 rotates the head 13 of theyoke 4, so that the latter is rocked in the clockwise direction ofFIG. 1. When the pressure exerted on the push-piece 24 is released, thepiece 24 returns into its primitive position by the spring 29, the lever27, the pin 30 and the actuating member 26. When the yoke 4 occupiesthis second position, the pinions 6 and 7 are disengaged from the wheels3 and 1, respectivley, whereas the pinion 8, still in mesh with thetoothed wheel 9, is also in mesh with the additional wheel 3. Now, ifthe control stem 12 is turned, in the one direction or the other, thepinion 11 rotates the intermediate wheel 10 and the toothed wheel 9',and the latter in turn actuates the additional wheel 3 and, therefore,the hour hand. However, the rotation of the Wheel 3 is not transmittedto the hour wheel 1, since the pinions 6 and 7 are now at a distance ofthe Wheels 3 and 1, respectively. It is therefore possible to advance ormove back the hour hand by one or more steps, without influencing theindication given by the other hand or hands. When this correction iseffected, the push-piece 24 is again actuated,

and this piece 24 now acts, through the actuating member 26, upon thenose .19 of the cam disc 15, so that the cam disc brings back the yoke 4into its first position, or rest position. For ensuring that the hourhand always take an exact position upon the correction, it is possibleto magnetically position the additional wheel 3 with respect to the hourwheel. A small error in the correction of the hour hand is, therefore,immaterial.

The second embodiment (FIG. 3) includes, like the first embodiment, aconventional hour wheel 1 and an additional wheel 3, these both wheelsbeing rotatably mounted, coaxially with each other, the wheel 3 carryingthe hour hand.

A yoke 31, pivoting as at 32 on the frame of the Watch, is arranged inthe vicinity of the wheels 1 and 3. It carries two identical pinions 33and 34, coaxial with each other and rigidly connected with each other.Both pinions 33 and 34 are rotatably mounted on the yoke 31. The yoke 31is subjected to the action of a spring 35 which tends to rotate it inthe counterclockwise direction of FIG. 3 and to keep the pinions 33, 34in mesh with the wheels 3 and .1, respectively.

A second yoke, 36, pivoting as at 37 on the frame of the watch, presentsa nose 38 which is maintained incontact with the tail 39 of the firstyoke 31. On the yoke 36 is rotatably mounted a toothed wheel 40, whichis susceptible of engaging the additional wheel 3, as explained lateron. An intermediate wheel 41, having a stationaryv axis, is arranged inthe vicinity of the wheel 40 and is in mesh with a pinion 42 susceptibleof being actuated by a control stem 43. The latter is rigidly connectedin the direction of rotation with a crown 44 which may be moved axiallyby sliding along a tube 45 rigidly secured to the watch-case 46. Agasket 47 ensures the tightness of the crown 4 4. A sleeve 48 is freelymounted between the stem 43 and the tube 45 and is axially retainedtowards the top by a ring 49 bearing on a shoulder of the crown 44. Atthe bottom, the sleeve bears against a lever 50 pivoting as at 51 on theframe of the watch. The lever 50 is subjected to the action of a spring52, which presses the nose 53 of the lever 50 against a boss 54 of thesecond yoke 36.

In the position of the parts illustrated in FIG. 3, the first yoke 31occupies its rest position, i.e. the normal position during the workingof the watch. The pinion 33 is in mesh with the additional wheel 3, andthe pinion 34 is in mesh with the hour wheel 1, so that the wheels 1 and3 are interlocked in the direction of rotation. The second yoke 36occupies such a position that the toothed wheel 40 is disengaged fromthe additional wheel 3. When the watch is running, the hour wheel 1 isdriven by the watch movement and its rotation is transmitted to theadditional wheel 3 through the pinions 34 and 33, so that the hour handis normally rotated. Normal setting, i.e. the simultaneous correction ofthe hour and minute hands, maybe carried out in the usual manner, bymeans of a conventional device (not shown). If the crown 44 and thecontrol stem 43 are turned, the pinion 42 drives the intermediate wheel41, without exerting any function; besides, the intermediate wheel 41 isnot in mesh with the toothed wheel 40.

For bringing .the first yoke 31 into its second position, or activeposition, the crown 44 has to be pulled towards the outside, The spring52 rocks the lever 50 in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 3, sothat this lever 50 repels the sleeve 48, which may move towards the topuntil it touches the ring 49. The rotation of the lever 50 causes itsnose 53 to act upon the boss 54 of the second yoke 36 and rocks thelatter in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 3, about its spindle37. This movement of the yoke 36 brings the toothed wheel 40 in meshsimultaneously with the intermediate wheel 41 and the additional wheel3. On the other hand, the nose 38 of the yoke 36 acts upon the tail 39of the yoke 31 and rocks the latter, against the action of the restoringspring 35. Therefore, the pinions 33 and 34 are disengaged from thewheels 3 and 1, respectively. Now, if the crown 44 and the control stem43 are turned in one direction or the other, the pinion 42 drives theintermediate wheel 41 and the toothed wheel 40, and the latter in turnactuates the additional wheel 3 and, therefore, the hour hand. However,the rotation of the wheel 3 is not transmitted to the hour wheel 1,since the pinions 33 and 34 are now at a distance of the wheels 3 and 1,respectively. It is, therefore, possible to advance or move back thehour hand by one or more steps, without influencing the indication givenby the other hand or hands. When this correction has been effected, thecrown 44 is brought back into its primitive position. The ring 49 repelsthe sleeve 48 towards the bottom, and the latter brings back the lever50 into its initial position, against the action of the restoring spring52. The yoke 36 is now idle, so that the spring 35 can swing the yoke 31in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 3, and the tail 39 of the yoke31 brings back the yoke 36 into its rest position. As in the case of thefirst embodiment, it is possible, if desired, to magnetically positionthe additional wheel 3 with respect to the hour wheel 1, in order toensure an exact position of the hour hand and render immaterial a smallerror in the correction of the hour hand.

The third embodiment (FIG. 4) is similar to the preceding one, exceptthat the yokes 31 and 316 are replaced by a single yoke 55, pivoting asat 56 on the frame of the watch. At its free end, the yoke 55 carries,freely mounted thereon, two identical pinions 57 and 58, coaxial witheach other and rigidly connected with each other. The yoke 55 issubjected to the action of a restoring spring 59 which tends to rotatethe same in the clockwise direction of FIG. 4 and to keep the pinions 57and 58 in mesh with the wheels 3 and 1, respectively.

One the yoke 55 is rotatably mounted a toothed wheel 40, which issusceptible of engaging the additional wheel 3. An intermediate wheel41, having a stationary axis, is arranged in the vicinity of the wheel40 and is in mesh with a pinion 42 susceptible of being actuated by acontrol stem 43. The latter is rigidly connected with a crown identicalwith the crown 44 described in connection with FIG. 3. A sleeve 48 isagain provided, which is identical with the sleeve shown in FIG. 3. Atthe bottom, the sleeve 48 bears on a lever 50 pivoting as at 51 on theframe of the watch. The spring 59 already mentioned simultaneously actsupon the lever 50 and causes the nose 53 of the lever 50 to bear on aboss 54 of the yoke 55.

In the position of the parts illustrated in FIG. 4, the yoke 55 occupiesits rest position. The pinion 57 is in mesh with the additional wheel 3,and the pinion 58 is in mesh with the hour wheel 1, so that the wheels 1and 3 are interlocked in the direction of rotation. The yoke 55 occupiessuch a position that the toothed wheel 40 is disengaged from theadditional 'wheel 3. When the Watch is working, the hour wheel 1 isdriven by the movement of the watch and its rotation is transmitted tothe additional wheel 3 by the pinions 58 and 57, so that the hour handis normally rotated. The normal setting, i.e. the simultaneouscorrection of the hour and minute hands, may be carried out in the usualmanner, by means of a conventional device (not shown). If the controlstem 43 is turned, the pinion 42 drives the intermediate Wheel 41,Without exerting any function; besides, the intermediate wheel 41 is notin mesh with the toothed wheel 40.

For bringing the yoke 55 into its second position, or active position,the crown is pulled towards the outside. The spring 59 swings the lever50 in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 4, so that this lever 50repels the sleeve 48 towards the top. The rotation of the lever 50causes its nose 53 to act upon the boss 54 of the yoke 55 and rocks thelatter in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 4, about its spindle56. This movement of the yoke 55 brings the toothed wheel 40 in meshsimultaneously with the intermediate wheel 41 and the additional wheel3.

On the other hand, the same movement of the yoke 55 disengages thepinions 57 and 58 from the wheels 3 and 1, respectively. Now, if thecontrol stem 43 is turned in the one direction or the other, the pinion42 rotates the intermediate wheel 41 and the toothed wheel 40, and thelatter in turn actuates the additional wheel 3 and, therefore, the hourhand. However, the rotation of the wheel 3 is not transmitted to thehour wheel 1, since the pinions 57 and 58 are now at a distance from thewheels 3 and 1, respectively. It is, therefore, possible to advance ormove back the hour hand by one or more steps, without influencing theindication given by the other hand or hands. When this correction hasbeen effected, the crown is pushed back into its primitive position. Thesleeve 48 brings back the lever 50 into its initial position, againstthe action of the restoring spring 59. The yoke 55 is brought back intoits primitive position by the same spring 59.

I claim:

1. A timepiece, comprising an hour hand, a conventional hour gearactuated by a conventional movement of the timepiece, an additional gearcarrying the hour hand, which gear is rotatably mounted coaxially withthe conventional hour gear, and means actuatable from the outside forrotating the additional gear by one or more steps, thus correspondinglyrotating the hour hand, without influencing the indication of the otherhand or hands, characterized in that it comprises in addition a yokewhich may take, under the action of an outer control member, on the onehand, a first position wherein the said gears are interlocked in thedirection of rotation upon normal setting of the timepiece and duringthe running thereof, and, on the other hand, a second position whereinthe said gears are disengaged from each other to permit actuating onlythe additional gear carrying the hour hand.

2. A timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the said yoke carries,rotatably mounted thereon, two identical pinions, coaxial and rigidlyconnected with each other, the said pinions being in mesh with each ofthe said gears, respectively, when the said yoke occupies the said firstposition, whereas they are disengaged from the said gears when the saidyoke occupies the said second position.

3. A timepiece according to claim 1, comprising a cam disc susceptibleof being actuated by a push-piece and of being thus brought into eitherone of two definite end positions, the said cam disc controlling thesaid yoke.

4. A timepiece according to claim 1, comprising a second yokecontrolling the first yoke and a control crown whose axial positiondetermines the position of the said second yoke.

5. A timepiece according to claim 1, comprising a control crown whoseaxial position determines the position of the said yoke.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,674,085 4/1954 Israel 58-8552,947,137 8/1960 Berry et al 5885.5 3,279,165 10/1966 Burg 58-85.5 X3,318,085 5/1967 Lee 5843 UX 3,358,437 12/1967 Burg 5885.5 X 3,468,1229/1969 Lee 58-855 X RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner G. H. MILLER,IR., Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 58-43

